Four sediment cores from the Fram Strait (78 degrees N) have been stud
ied to reconstruct the paleoceanography of this major connection of th
e Arctic Ocean to the world ocean. Back to oxygen isotope stage 5 (128
kyr ago) the stratigraphic interpretation of the cores is based on ox
ygen isotope and accelerator mass spectrometry data; the identificatio
n of oxygen isotope stage 6 is based on paleomagnetic and coccolith da
ta. Parameters indicative for contrasting environmental conditions suc
h as high input of ice-rafted detritus (IRD) or seasonally open waters
display characteristic sequences by which the paleoce anography of th
is region can be reconstructed for the last 180 kyr. The geographic se
tting of Fram Strait and the sediment data indicate a permanent meridi
onal circulation pattern throughout the last 180 kyr, as it is typical
, for example, for the present-day circulation. Depending on the stren
gth of advection, Atlantic waters appeared in Fram Strait as surface w
aters, resulting in seasonally ice-free conditions, or as subsurface w
ater masses, underlying polar waters perenially covered by ice. Sustai
ned periods of seasonally ice-free waters were largely restricted to i
nterglacial stages 5.5, 5.1, and the Holocene. However, a few short ev
ents characterized by seasonally ice-free conditions at 78 degrees N a
re recorded during glacial stages as well, for example, stage 6, late
stage 3, and stage 2 (''Nordway'' events). These events provide for su
pply of moisture, and therefore they are closely related to the histor
y of the European Arctic ice sheets. Strong input of IRD, reflecting s
evere glaciations on surrounding landmasses, occurred during most of s
tage 6, in early stage 3, and during stage 2. Variations in IRD input
allow differentiation between three major source areas: (1) Svalbard/B
arents Sea during major glacier advances in stages 2 to 5; (2) most li
kely Siberia during stage 6; and (3) Fennoscandia during the short eve
nts in glacial periods marked by seasonal open waters. Thus the circul
ation pattern in the Fram Strait remained rather stable throughout the
last 180 kyr, while variations in the sediment composition are mainly
due to the intensity of Atlantic water advection and to the prevailin
g IRD input pathway.